Lowell Folk Festival 2020 Cancelled

Out of interest to protect our patrons, artists, vendors, staff, volunteers, partners, sponsors and community at large from the spread of COVID-19, this year’s Lowell Folk Festival is cancelled. The Festival’s Producing Partners look forward to a bigger and better festival on July 23-25, 2021.

The festival was scheduled for July 24-26, 2020, marking its 34th year presenting the finest in traditional music, dance, ethnic food, and the cultural treasures that make up our diverse community. The decision was made based on the current Center for Disease Control guidance related to mass gatherings and the current spread of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout New England.

The Lowell Folk Festival Producing Partners struggled with this difficult decision. By drawing over 150,000 people to Lowell, New England’s premier traditional festival supports downtown businesses, serves as the annual fundraiser to many nonprofit community organizations who sell international cuisine, and brings people of all walks of life and backgrounds together to introduce them to all that Lowell has to offer. The Producing Partners considered alternative ways to hold the Festival, while taking precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, but attempts to limit the overall number of attendees and promote social distancing proved impossible. Ultimately, the decision to protect people’s health and safety had to take precedent.

The Producing Partners encourage festival supporters to visit Lowell once the pandemic subsides to enjoy all the city has to offer. We hope that volunteers and community members who support the festival will instead turn their efforts to helping those in need and affected by the pandemic. At the same time, we hope everyone will continue to engage with us online at here lowellfolkfestival.org, Facebook.com/LowellFolkFestival,twitter.com/lowellfolkfest, instagram.com/lowellfolkfest as we look forward to the 2021 Festival. The Lowell Folk Festival’s Producing Partners include: the Lowell Festival Foundation, City of Lowell, Lowell National Historical Park, National Council for the Traditional Arts, Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau.